Countdown to September 1st vs Ball State (Top 250 Vols)

[TennesseeTarheel]

Is that his wife?

 

[OneManGang]

Is that his wife?

No, that's Dublin, not L.A. (Either one.)

 

[StarRaider]

Nope, Nope, Nope. Although I did get a chuckle out of that last one!

The man in question is Michael Collins, the "Big Fella," possibly the man most responsible for Ireland's independence. He took part in the 1916 Easter Rebellion, the Irish War for Independence, the negotiations that established the Irish Free State and finally the Irish Civil War. He was commander-in-chief of the Irish National Army when he was assassinated in an ambush in 1922 at the age of 31.

View attachment 470885

 

[Orange.]

Peay is late.

 

[MemphisVol77]

Peay is late.
View attachment 471260

 

[peaygolf]

55 days................

#55 - Curt Watson

The "Crossville Comet", for you real youngsters, is often regarded as the greatest fullback in Tennessee history. His marvelous body control, powerful legs, and natural gift for finding gaps in the opposition’s defense made Watson an offensive threat that propelled the Tennessee Volunteers to the top of the Southeastern Conference. Watson made the starting lineup at the beginning of his sophomore year and led the Volunteers to a 9-1 season and an SEC championship in 1969, followed by an appearance in the Gator Bowl. In the succeeding season, Tennessee’s record climbed to 10-1, and Watson led the Vols to a 34-13 victory over the Air Force Academy in the Sugar Bowl. Watson’s senior year found the Volunteers with a 9-2 record and an invitation to play Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl. Despite suffering from a painful rib injury that kept him out of this bowl game until late in the third quarter, Watson, padded and bandaged, provided the rushing punch necessary to lead the Vols to a late fourth-period touchdown and a 14-13 victory. Curt Watson still ranks tenth among Tennessee’s all-time rushing leaders. In three years as the starter, Watson never rushed for less that 700 yards in a season and held the record for most yards in a game (197) and in a career when he left UT. He ended his career with a school-record 2,364 yards on 529 rushes, twenty-two touchdowns, and a 5.4 yards-per-carry average. Watson was named 1st Team All-SEC all three years at Tennessee. Watson moved on to two years in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers. He then joined the Navy and was accepted for flight school. His eleven years as a Navy pilot included a four-stint with the internationally heralded Blue Angels.

 

[peaygolf]

Peay is late.
View attachment 471260

Had to go to go to bed early.............

 

[Titan&Volfan4life]

We understand Peay.

When my wife is naked and dragging me to bed I also go to bed early, LOL!

VFL...GBO!!!

 

[Orange.]

Had to go to go to bed early.............

Just an "alt uniform" way of bragging on your dedication and series! I did not know Curt Watson flew with the Blue Angels!

 

[peaygolf]

54 days……

#54 - Keith DeLong

DeLong comes from a long family line of distinguished Vols. As a freshman linebacker, Keith was one of two true freshman to see action, making 19 tackles, mainly on special teams. As a sophomore in 1986, DeLong was limited due to a back injury, but played in 9 games, making 27 tackles. In 1987, Keith became a star, making 125 tackles. He had 16 stops vs Auburn, 17 vs Vanderbilt, and 13 in the Peach Bowl. He was named 2nd Team All-SEC and won SEC defensive player of the week twice. In 1988, as a captain, DeLong continued his dominance, leading the team with 159 tackles, including a monster game vs Alabama, where he made 23 stops. He was a finalist for the Butkus Award and was named 1st team All-SEC and 1st Team All-American. For his career he made 330 tackles, 16 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions. DeLong was a 1st round pick by the 49ers and played from 1989-1993, winning one Super Bowl. According to his coach, Johnny Majors, "they don't come any finer as a college performer than Keith DeLong."

 

[Orange.]

Does this thread double as a countdown to when we find out if Tillman is coming back?

 

[OneManGang]

We understand Peay.

When my wife is naked and dragging me to bed I also go to bed early, LOL!

VFL...GBO!!!

My wife used to be afraid of the dark.

Then she saw me naked.

Now she's afraid of the light.

h/t Rodney Dangerfield

 

[peaygolf]

53 days……

#53 - Tee Martin

Tee didn’t see much action as a freshman or a sophomore, playing behind the greatest QB in school history. He did show signs of what was to come during the Orange Bowl vs Nebraska. Enter 1998……..
Yes, UT had a great run game and a fantastic defense, but UT doesn’t win the National Championship without Tee Martin. He had over 200 yards of offense seven times and led a comeback win vs Syracuse. He set an NCAA record with 24 consecutive competitions, 23 of them against South Carolina. His huge game in the Fiesta Bowl sealed the win vs FSU. He threw for over 2,000 yards and had 19 TDs and had 7 more rushing touchdowns. As a senior, Martin was named SEC player of the week twice and accounted for all three touchdowns in the win over Alabama. He threw for over 2,300 yards and 12 TDs, leading the Vols to a 9-3 record. For his career, Martin threw for 4,592 yards and 32 TDs, while rushing for 614 yards and 16 TDs. He was named 1st team All-SEC after the ‘99 season and was a 5th round pick by the Steelers in 2000.

 

[connor]

We getting so close boys

 

[IndianaVol]

Tee at 53...can't imagine who is in the top 50. List is getting good !!!

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Tee at 53...can't imagine who is in the top 50. List is getting good !!!

I'll take a swing at the Top 20 or so (in no particular order):

George Cafego
Beattie Feathers
Gene McEver
Reggie White
Peyton Manning
Carl Pickens
Condredge Holloway
Johnny Majors
Al Wilson
Doug Atkins
Eric Berry
Joey Kent
Hacksaw Reynolds
Steve Kiner
Hank Lauricella
Jason Witten
Travis Henry -or- Jamal Lewis -or- Travis Stephens (everyone has a fav among these three, they were all damn good)
And we gotta make room for at least one or two outstanding kickers and punters: James Wilhoit, Jeff Hall, and a whole clan named Colquitt.

Honorable Mention: Inky Johnson



Go Vols!

 

[MAD]

Not only is Peay the guru of Tennessee football history, just discovered he has inside info on recruits.

 

[mercuryvol]

Nope, Nope, Nope. Although I did get a chuckle out of that last one!

The man in question is Michael Collins, the "Big Fella," possibly the man most responsible for Ireland's independence. He took part in the 1916 Easter Rebellion, the Irish War for Independence, the negotiations that established the Irish Free State and finally the Irish Civil War. He was commander-in-chief of the Irish National Army when he was assassinated in an ambush in 1922 at the age of 31.

View attachment 470885

OMG, you know as well as I that is NOT Michael Collins. He was the Columbia’s command pilot for Apollo 11. This guy is obviously some meme for Black Jack Pershing.

 

[Smokey X]

I'll take a swing at the Top 20 or so (in no particular order):

George Cafego
Beattie Feathers
Gene McEver
Reggie White
Peyton Manning
Carl Pickens
Condredge Holloway
Johnny Majors
Al Wilson
Doug Atkins
Eric Berry
Joey Kent
Hacksaw Reynolds
Steve Kiner
Hank Lauricella
Jason Witten
Travis Henry -or- Jamal Lewis -or- Travis Stephens (everyone has a fav among these three, they were all damn good)
And we gotta make room for at least one or two outstanding kickers and punters: James Wilhoit, Jeff Hall, and a whole clan named Colquitt.

Honorable Mention: Inky Johnson



Go Vols!

good list....20 probably not enough....I would add a place for Stanley Morgan, Bob Johnson, Chip Kell

 

[peaygolf]

52 days……

#52 - Cosey Coleman

Colman started his freshman season in 1997 as a reserve offensive lineman, but worked his way into the starting lineup vs Southern Miss and started the final five games, including the Bowl game vs Nebraska. He was named to the All-SEC freshman team following the season. During the ‘98 National Championship season, Coleman started all 13 games and helped UT rush for over 200 yards seven times. He was named most valuable lineman by his teammates and was named 1st team ALL-SEC. As a junior, Cosey started all 12 games paved the way for Jamal Lewis and Travis Henry, as the two rushed for 816 and 790 yards respectively. His impressive blocking and pass protection, helped UT rush for 2,160 yards and allowed Tee Martin to be named All-SEC QB. Coleman was named 1st team All-SEC and 1st Team All-American. After starting 30 consecutive games, Coleman decided to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft. He was a 2nd round pick by the Bucs in 2000 and won a Super Bowl. He finished his career with the Browns in 2004.

 

[OneManGang]

OMG, you know as well as I that is NOT Michael Collins. He was the Columbia’s command pilot for Apollo 11. This guy is obviously some meme for Black Jack Pershing.

There is a connection. Astronaut Michael Collins' grandfather emigrated from County Cork in the 1860s. His father, James Lawton Collins, was a career Army officer who graduated from West Point and retired a Major General. Coming from an immigrant Irish Catholic family, Collins' father certainly knew of the other Michael Collins and the significance of the name.

Astronaut Collins' uncle was Joseph Lawton Collins. J. Lawton Collins also graduated from West Point. J. Lawton Collins missed combat in WWI but was commanding a battalion ready for action when the armistice was signed. He saw service in WWII commanding the 25th Division during the Guadalcanal and New Georgia campaigns before being transferred to the European Theater where he commanded VII Corps. He retired after serving as Chief of Staff during the Korean War.

Astronaut Collins also graduated from West Point, but chose to serve in the USAF. After leaving NASA, he was Director of the National Air and Space Museum.

(NASA)

 

[peaygolf]

Not only is Peay the guru of Tennessee football history, just discovered he has inside info on recruits.

On occasion

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

I’m so confused by this counting method. There are 50 days. If you count gameday, there are 51. Where is 52 coming from?

 

[MAD]

I’m so confused by this counting method. There are 50 days. If you count gameday, there are 51. Where is 52 coming from?

shhhhhh….
Just go with it.

 

[AF_VOL]

55 days................

#55 - Curt Watson

The "Crossville Comet", for you real youngsters, is often regarded as the greatest fullback in Tennessee history. His marvelous body control, powerful legs, and natural gift for finding gaps in the opposition’s defense made Watson an offensive threat that propelled the Tennessee Volunteers to the top of the Southeastern Conference. Watson made the starting lineup at the beginning of his sophomore year and led the Volunteers to a 9-1 season and an SEC championship in 1969, followed by an appearance in the Gator Bowl. In the succeeding season, Tennessee’s record climbed to 10-1, and Watson led the Vols to a 34-13 victory over the Air Force Academy in the Sugar Bowl. Watson’s senior year found the Volunteers with a 9-2 record and an invitation to play Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl. Despite suffering from a painful rib injury that kept him out of this bowl game until late in the third quarter, Watson, padded and bandaged, provided the rushing punch necessary to lead the Vols to a late fourth-period touchdown and a 14-13 victory. Curt Watson still ranks tenth among Tennessee’s all-time rushing leaders. In three years as the starter, Watson never rushed for less that 700 yards in a season and held the record for most yards in a game (197) and in a career when he left UT. He ended his career with a school-record 2,364 yards on 529 rushes, twenty-two touchdowns, and a 5.4 yards-per-carry average. Watson was named 1st Team All-SEC all three years at Tennessee. Watson moved on to two years in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers. He then joined the Navy and was accepted for flight school. His eleven years as a Navy pilot included a four-stint with the internationally heralded Blue Angels.

View attachment 471275

Former VFL, Blue Angel, once took Tom Cruise into the air to prepare for Top Gun